The Education Sponsorship Programme (ESP) is connected with a
chain of 90 CHHATRALAYAS (boarding schools) with a total of almost 15,000
children in Gujarat State. These mainly between the ages of 8 and 18 years),
come from among the weakest and poorest families of Gujarat. For the past
several years the ESP has been making it possible for many chil~ˇ1!ˇen to have
the benefits of an education, which in normal circumstances they would have been
deprived of. Contributions to the ESP have come in irom the sacrifices of all
kinds of people Ilot only from India, but from several other countries too. The
ESP works on the principle that education is the key to liberation.., a key
which could open the door to a future of hope, to children who would have
otherwise been denied it.

LIFE IN THE CHHATRALAYAS

We present here the rationale and understanding behind the chhatralayas :
The children who live in them come from the very remote and backward areas
- mainly from the tribal belts of Gujarat. In such areas very little or no
education is available.Where, some sort of school has been "started" by the
Government, it is either the children who do not attend or the school master
playing truant, or the so-called school just "non existent".The chhatralayas
work on a basic premise that only education can bring about a social change and
help themarginalized to better their lot. Parents have to be convinced of
the need to send their children to a chhatralaya and many do cooperate. The
chhatralayas are usually in the semi-urban or more developed rural areas (though
there are some in the very remote and backward areas); this is due to the
availability of educational facilities. The children live in the chhatralaya -
and usually attend the Governmentrun local school...
In the chhatralayas the children have ample opportunities for a wholistic development.
Since one necessarily has to "conform" to the formal system of education, encouragement
is given to the children to do well in their academic studies. The fact that
the chhatralayas have the basic amenities (like electricity, water etc.) which
the children would not have in their villages, helps them in the pursuit and
love of knowledge. However the chhatralayas also stress on, and try to stimulate
in the children, various human qualities :team-work, striving for justice, love
for truth, selfless service, creativity etc. These are fostered through various
programmes held in the Chhatralaya during the year.
In order not to
alienate them from the hard realities of every day life, the children also have
to share in the running of the Chhatralaya in simple yet important areas :
cutting vegetables, helping in the cooking, keeping the place clean, cutting
firewood etc.Thus they also grow in responsibility. Al! the children are also
expected to pay a nominal monthly fee to the Chhatralaya... This is merely a
token, since it would hardly cover up the expenditure of a couple of days; but
it does succeed in erasirig that "depending on others" complex to a small
extent, besides adding to their sense of dignity. The children are also
constantly made aware of the social injustices around them; of their right and
duties; of the fact, that they alone can be the true liberators of their
people.Besides, emphasis is also given to the cultural, spiritual and
physical growth of the children.There are the moments of song and dance; of
prayer and worship; of fun and games. All this is necess~ary for one's 'total'
development.The children spend on an average of three to four months of the
year with their parents.-rwo months at a stretch during the summer vacation and
the rest distributed during the year according to their local festivals,
harvestˇtimes and other holidays. The parents often visit the children in the
chhatralayas, whenever they come to the town for some work, purchasing etc. - or
on "Boarding Day" held by the children in honour of their parents.

Naturally, the Chhatralayas also have their low points :the pains of growth,
the tensions of trying to make both ends meet, the problems within etc. But this
is minimal when compared to the tremendous good done through them.

LEAVING A CHHATRALAYA

The children usually come into the Chhatralaya when they are in Class IV or
VI (normally between ages of 9 and 11) and stay there till they complete their
schooling, that is Class X (S.S.C.) (normal age 16 plus)... However in some
Chhatralayas, they join in an earlier class and in some (where such education
is available) they stay on till they have completed their Higher Secondary Course
(Class XI & XII = Pre-University).
Children normally leave a Chhatralaya :
- When theyhavefinished their schooling.
- When they go from one Chhatralaya to another (say from a Primary Chhatralaya
to a Secondary Chhatraraya).
or
- for some personal reasons... these are some recent examples as to why some
of the children had to stop coming to the Chhatralaya :
Ramesh has another baby brother - so Ramesh's parents think it more important
for him to remain at home and help out in the little field, to graze the few
animals etc... Then there is Laxmi, whose father be~ame a leper.-rhe poor girl
had to face social ostracization; Another girl Anandi, at a very young age was
married off - so naturally she could not continue... And there are those heart-rending
tragedies : little Sits, is no more. Death was instantaneous after a poisonous
snake bit her...Yes, there are those who do not return, who never will - But
the vacancy is immediately filled up by those just longing to come to a Chhatralaya.

SPONSORING A CHILD

The ESP has made it possible for several people who "have", to participate
and contribute in the education of a child. For want of a better word we have
called it "sponsoring". However, this does in no way imply "adopting" or merely
"aid-giving" (the donor-recipient attitude; one patronizing, the other dependent).
When a person wishes to sponsor a child/children, he/she is asked to contribute
$ 150 per year per child, which is passed on to the Chhatralaya for the maintenance
of that particular child for the year. This contribution is only a small part
of the total expenses spent on a child.
The average expenditure necessary for maintaining (food, boarding, fuel, health,
sports, tuition, programme etc.) a child works out to over $ 400 per year (that
is 10 months).
Many wonder as to how a child could be educated with a mere $ 150. But as seen
above, this is just about 1!3 of the expenses of a child. The other 2/3 are
met by a small contribution from the child's family, the products of the gardens
the Chhatralayas may have and some alms that the Chhatralayas have to collect
on their own. However the 1/3 share which comes from the Sponsor makes a tremendous
difference - in the effort to educate the chilci. From the contribution obtained
through FSr" we are able to help only 10% of the children studying In the Chhatralayas.
For the rest, the C'~hatralaya Directors hnv~ to fend for themselves - this
being always unforseeable, they are always anxious as to how they will -reach
the end of the year.
When a Child is sponsored, the Sponsor receives : the photograph and bio-sketch
of the child.
an annual report of the progress of the child (usually sent in July/August).
an occasional letter/greeting from the child.
JIVAN and other periodic circular letters - sent by the ESP office - about the
Chhatralaya and lives of the people of Gujarat in general.
besides, a constant remembrance and a prayer of gratitude from all here.

THE OVER-AND-ABOVE

Should a sponsor wish to give more than the requested contribution, he is welcome
to do so - but the excess amount is normally used for the good of the whole
Chhatralaya, in which the sponsored child lives. A group in Netherlands for
example, sometime ago sent the Chhatralaya in Ankleshwar help to meet the necessary
expenditure for sports goods and uniforms for the boys. This brought joy not
only to one, but to several boys.

Then there is also a possibility of involving oneself in works/projects
related to the Chhatralayas... making a well, vocational training for youth etc.
This involves bigger amounts of money.

WHAT IS DISCOURAGED

We discourage the sponsors from sending any personal gifts to the sponsored
child. This has to be understood in the light of the aims of the Chhatralayas
which is to prepare first, rather than alienate them. The impact of the
Chhatralayas has primarily to be felt mainly in the villages from which the
children come.

Sponsors are varied :some rich, some not-so-rich. Ifa child is lucky enough
to have a rich sponsor - and is the recipient of gifts : that child naturally
arouses jealousies among the others and spoils the sponsored child making him
good. The children came from the same village/similar villages, a similar
economic and social background etc.. The life in the Chhatralaya is simple so
any child who starts receiving presents naturally runs the risk of being
ostracized by his very own.In a Chhatralaya all are equal - they eat the
same food cooked in the same kitchen, wear the same people clothes, play the
same games etc... Equality, cooperation, sharing are values constantly
stressed.. Anything contrary to this is strongly discouraged.

If an occasional present is received from one of the sponsors - then it is
normally given as a prize for some competition in the Chhatralaya.

Finally, an over-dependence is discouraged. "Aid", also has its negatives in
as much as it is patronizing, or makes the recipient totally dependent. That is
why the ESP insists that only a fraction of the total expenditure comes from
contribution of the Sponsor.

ORGANIZATION

In Gujarat today we have 55 Chhatralayas for boys and 35 for girls. The
Chhatralayas are separate, in keeping with the cultural patterns of the area.
However, in school the boys and girls sit and study in the same Class. They mix
freely, speak, have their functions, tribal dances, and other celebrations
together. The "lingua franca" is Gujarati. However in particular areas the local
dialect is used, Just a handful of children understand a little English.

The Chhatralaya is run by a director, who is assisted by a Prefect - and
House Master/Mother. Normally these prefects/masters are old students of the
same Chhatralaya - but have finished their studies. The Chhatralayas for girls
are normally run by the Sisters. Besides, every Chhatralaya is divided into
small groups/teams, each one h'aving their own leaders, who see to the
day-to-day running of things.

The Chhatralayas are all part of the Catholic Church in Gujarat - However
they are open to all without distinction of caste or creed. A strong bias
however is reserved for the children of the poor and the iIliterate.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

Besides being directly connected with the Chhatralayas in its daily
programme, the ESP has also been running over the years several activities for
the children of the Chhatralayas. During the International Year of the child,
for example, a huge Art Competition was held. This has become now an annual
feature in the form of a Christmas Card Competition. In may 1985 - a special
Mountaineeringcum-leadership Camp was organized in Mount Abu for the Tribal boy~
of the Gnnat.ralayas. ~sp has also hesr? sporis~utiiiy Lariuus "shibirs"
(training camps) at various levels for the boys and girls...

HOW TO SEND YOUR MONEY

When you wish to sponsor a child, send your money only by cheque/check drawn
in favour of 'GUJARAT EDUCATION SOCIETY'. This can be done in any major bank in
your area. Send the cheque to us by REGISTERED POST (RÉCOMMANDÉ / KIRJATAAN)
addressed to :

CONCLUSION
This, in brief is the story of the Chhatralayas of Gujarat and the Education
Sponsorship Programme. Should you want to join us in any small way, in participating
in the education of one of our children, or want further details, then do write
to us (at the address given below).This is a smali venture - but we too share
in the vision of the Chinese sage, who said : "it is better to iight one candle
than to curse the darkness:
FR. CEDRIC PRAKASH S.J.
GUJARAT EDUCATION SOCIETY
Newman Hall,
Post Box No. 4002
Ahmedabad 380 009, GUJARAT
INDIA
FAX : (91) (79)6426362
TEL : (91) (79) 495238